Page 6 - Kind News, May/June 2021

KN: Why is it important to understand insects? KN: How can
children help
MM: Insects are pretty much at the base insects?
of most ecosystems on this planet. Humans
depend on insects for agriculture. They make silk MM: Go into
and honey. They are food for many other animals your garden,
including humans. Yet we've barely scratched the backyard, or local
surface of what we know about them. park and observe
them. Take photos
and upload them
to websites like
KN: Can you describe your typical day? iNaturalist. You can

MM: An entomologist could be working in plant native plants
the lab identifying insects under the microscope. to attract native
You could be in a museum taking a look at their insects. And if
insect collection. You could be in the field your parents are
(outdoors) collecting insects, or running experiments. squashing bugs in
your house, tell them not to do that. Just calmly
put them in a box or a cup and take them outside.

KN: What is the coolest thing you’ve
witnessed?
KN: So, do bugs fart?
MM: With the show Bug Hunter! I got to go to
Canada and see the caterpillars of giant swallowtail MM: Yes. The larvae of dragonflies use gas to
butterflies. They look like bird poo. It is incredible. propel them in water. It helps to catch their prey.
They look brown with little white patches and they It’s really quite awesome.
glisten a bit, like a freshly-laid poo.

ANENTOMOLOGIST!

BE

Want to study insects like Morgane? She says all you need is an outdoor space
or a park and a notebook. See what the ants are doing and where they’re
going. Ask yourself questions. Take notes and take pictures if you can.
You can upload your photos to nature apps like iNaturalist, where scientists
identify them. It can help to see how certain insects are spreading. You can
also use the Bug Hunter app to “visit” bug habitats to learn more about what
makes them so amazing — and even put virtual bugs in your room! Make sure
you ask a parent or guardian’s permission before downloading!
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